How far is Crystal Lake, IL from South Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Crystal Lake, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 61.1 miles (98.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.3 miles (84.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Crystal Lake and South Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crystal Lake and South Chicago.
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1
Start on East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 5 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Northwest Highway
6.2 mi · 11 min · Northwest Highway
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4
Turn left onto State Route 22
4.9 mi · 8 min · State Route 22
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5
Continue on West Main Street
1933 ft · 49 sec · West Main Street
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6
Turn right onto Rand Road
4.4 mi · 5 min · Rand Road
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7
Continue on North Rand Road
4.5 mi · 7 min · North Rand Road
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8
Turn left onto Palatine Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Palatine Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 45, IL 21: Milwaukee Avenue
104 m · 9 sec
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10
Turn straight onto East Palatine Road
3061 ft · 1 min · East Palatine Road
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11
Turn right onto Milwaukee Avenue
4.4 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue
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12
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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13
Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue
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14
Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue
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15
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East
1370 ft · 35 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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17
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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18
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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21
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway
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23
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway
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24
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1651 ft · 40 sec · Chicago Skyway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
1381 ft · 34 sec
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26
Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue
110 m · 10 sec · South Anthony Avenue
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27
Turn left onto East 92nd Street
1409 ft · 50 sec · East 92nd Street
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28
Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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29
Turn left onto East 86th Street
829 ft · 39 sec · East 86th Street
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30
Turn right
66 m · 16 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Crystal Lake and South Chicago.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Kennedy Expressway
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny leaving Crystal Lake and Sunny near South Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Crystal Lake to South Chicago?
The road trip is about 61.1 miles (98.4 km) and usually takes 01h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Golf is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.5 miles from Crystal Lake and 30.6 miles from South Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.3 miles (84.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.16 one way or $20.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Sunny around Crystal Lake and Sunny near South Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Golf
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Golf.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Crystal Lake and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 52.26 mi (84.1 km).
#1 Crystal Lake
City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 39,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2411300, -88.3162000 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 98 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.71 | $10.16 | $20.33 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $11.53 | $23.06 |
| Premium | $5.89 | $12.71 | $25.43 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $14.21 | $28.43 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Oct 17, 2026